suddenly taking off his hat, and bowing very low. The Earl moved his hat also, and slightly bowed, with a proudly-gratified air; and again occurred a little pause, which was broken by Titmouse. "Then your lordship thinks it will do?" he enquired very sheepishly, but anxiously. "Sir, I have the honour to assure you, that as far as I am concerned, I see no obst "Yes-but excuse me, my lord your lordship sees-I mean-my lord, your lordship sees” “Sir, I think—nay, I believe I do" -interrupted the Earl, wishing to relieve the evident embarrassment of his companion-" but I see nothing that should alarm you." [How interesting to watch the mysterious process by which these two powerful minds were gradually approximating towards understanding each other! 'Twas a sort of equation with an unknown quantity, in due course of evolution!] "Doesn't your lordship, indeed?" enquired Titmouse, rather briskly. "Sir, it was a saying of one of the great-I mean, sir, it is-you must often have heard, sir-in short, nothing venture, nothing have." "I'd venture a precious deal, my lord, if I only thought I could get what I'm after!" "Sir?" exclaimed the Earl, condescendingly. "If your lordship would only be so particular so uncommon kind-as to name the thing to her ladyship-by way of-eh, my lord? A sort of breaking the ice, and all that' "Sir, I feel and have a just pride in assuring you, that the Lady Cecilia is a young lady of that superior delicacy of" "Does your lordship really think I've a ghost of a chance?" interrupted Titmouse, anxiously. "She must have named the thing to your lordship, no doubt-eh, my lord?" This queer notion of the young lady's delicacy a little staggered her distinguished father for a moment or two. What was he to say? She and he had really often named the thing to each other; and here the question was put to him plumply. The Earl scorned a flat lie, and never condescended to equivocation except when it was absolutely necessary. "Sir," he said, hesitatingly; "undoubtedly-if I were to say that now and then, when your attentions have been so pointed "'Pon my life, my lord, I never meant it; if your lordship will only believe me," interrupted Titmouse, earnestly; "I beg a thousand pardons -I meant no harm, my lord." "Sir, there is no harm done," said the Earl, kindly. "Sir, I know human nature too well, or I have lived thus long to little purpose, not to be aware that we are not always master of our own feelings.' "That's exactly it, my lord! Excuse me, but your lordship's hit the thing!" "Do not imagine, Mr Titmouse, that I think your attentions may have been unpleasant to the Lady Cecilia by no means; I cannot, with truth, say any such thing!" "Oh, my lord!" exclaimed Titmouse, taking off his hat, bowing, and placing his hand upon his breast, where his little heart was palpitating with unusual force and distinctness. "Faint heart, says the proverb, Mr Titmouse-ah, ha!" quoth the Earl, with gentle gaiety. "Yes, my lord, it's enough to make one faint, indeed! Now, if your lordship-(I'm not used to the sort of thing, my lord!)—would just make a sort of beginning for me, my lord, with the Lady Cicely-to set us going, my lord -the least shove would do, my lord." "Well, Mr Titmouse," said the Earl, with a gracious smile," since your modesty is so overpowering-I'll try-to-become your ambassador to the Lady Cecilia. If, Mr Titmouse," his lordship presently added, in a serious tone," you are fortunate enough to succeed in engaging the affections of the Lady Cecilia, you will discover that you have secured indeed an invaluable prize." "To be sure, my lord! And consider, too, her ladyship's uncommon high rank-it's so particular condescending.-By the way, my lord, will she-if she and I can hit it off, so as to marry one another-be called Mrs Titmouse, or shall I be called Lord Titmouse? I wonder how that will be, my lord? 'Tis only, your lordship understands, on Lady Cicely's account I ask, because it's, in course, all one to me when once we're married." The Earl was gazing at him as he pleased with my own name. What will it cost to change it now, my lord?" went on, with an expression of mingled life, my lord, that's worth considering surprise and concern: presently, how--because I a'n't over and above ever, he added with calm seriousness, "Sir, it is not an unreasonable question, though I should have imagined that you could hardly have been-but -in short the Lady Cecilia will retain her rank, and become the Lady Cecilia Titmouse-that is, during my life but, on my demise, she succeeds to the barony of Drelincourt, and then will be called, of course, Lady Drelincourt." "And what shall I be then, my lord?" enquired Titmouse, eagerly. "Sir, you will of course continue Mr Titmouse". "Pon my life, my lord-shall I indeed?" he interrupted, with a crestfallen air," Mr Titmouse and Lady Drelincourt? Excuse me, my lord, but it don't sound at all like man and wife". "Sir, so it always has been, and will be, and so it ever ought to be," replied the Earl gravely. "Well but, my lord, (excuse me, my lord)-but marriage is a very serious thing, my lord, your lordship knows." "It is, sir, indeed," replied the Earl, gloom visibly overspreading his features. 66 Suppose," continued Titmouse, "Lady Cicely should die before me." The Earl, remaining silent, fixed on Titmouse the eye of a FATHER-a father, though a very foolish one; and presently, with a sensible tremor in his voice, replied, "Sir, these are rather singular questions- but, in such a mournful contingency as the one you have hinted at" "Oh, my lord! I humbly beg pardon -of course, I should be, 'pon my soul, my lord, most uncommon sorry"-interrupted Titmouse, with a little alarm in his manner. "I was saying, sir-that in such an event, if Lady Drelincourt left no issue, you would succeed to the barony; but, should she leave issue, they will be called Honourable" "What! the Honourable Tittlebat Titmouse,' if it's a boy, and the Honourable Cecilia Titmouse,' if it's a girl?" 66 Sir, it will be so-unless you should choose to take the name and arms of Dreddlington, on marrying the sole heiress" "Oh! indeed, my lord? 'Pon my "Sir," said the Earl, struck with the idea, "that is really a matter worth considering. In a matter of that magnitude, sir, I presume that expense would not be a matter of serious consideration." After some further conversation, the Earl came plump upon the great pivot upon which the whole arrangement was to turn-settlements and jointures-oh, as to them, Titmouse, who was recovering from the shock of the discovery that his marriage, however it might degrade the Lady Cecilia, would not ennoble him-promised every thing-would leave every thing in the hands of his lordship. Soon afterwards they separated; the Earl suggesting to him, that probably in a matter of infinite delicacy, like that on which they had been conversing, he would keep his own counsel-to which also Titmouse pledged himself. Soon afterwards, and before seeing his daughter, with an anxious, but not an excited air, he ordered his horse and took a long ride, accompanied only by his groom and if ever in his whole life he had attempted serious REFLECTION, it was on the occasion of that same long, slow, and solitary ride; then, for the first time, he forgot his peerage, and thought only of the man -and the father. But to what purpose? Shortly after his return he sought the Lady Cecilia, and performed his promise, by preparing her to receive, probably on the ensuing day, the proposals of TITTLEBAT TITMOUSE. The desired opportunity occurred the next day. Titmouse had slept like a top all night, after smoking in his bed-room a great many cigars, and drinking two or three tumblers of brandy and water; but Lady Cecilia had passed a very uneasy, and almost a sleepless night, and did not make her appearance at the breakfast-table. Understanding, however, that her ladyship was in the drawing-room and alone, about noon, Titmouse, who had bestowed during the interval more than usual pains upon his dress, gently opened the door, and observing that she was alone, reclining on the sofa, with a sudden beating of the heart, closed the door and approach ed her, bowing profoundly. Poor Lady Cecilia immediately sate up, very pale and trembling. "Good-morning, good-morning, Lady Cicely," commenced Titmouse, taking a chair and sitting down in it, plump opposite to her. "You aren't well this morning, are you, Lady Cicely?" said he, observing how pale she looked, and that she did not seem disposed to speak. "I am quite well," she replied in a low tone; and then each was silent. "It's beginning to look like winter a little, eh, Lady Cicely?" said he, after an embarrassing pause, looking through the windows. 'Twas an overcast day; and a strong wind was stripping the sere and yellow leaves in great numbers from the lofty trees which were not far distant, and which gave forth a melancholy rushing moaning sound; and another pause ensued. "Certainly it is getting rather cheerless," replied Lady Cecilia. Titmouse turned pale; and, twirling his fingers in his hair, fixed upon her a stupid and most embarrassing look, under which her eyes fell towards the ground, and remained looking in that direction. "I-I-hope his lordship's been saying a good word for me, Lady Cecilia ?" "My father mentioned your name to me yesterday," she replied, trembling excessively. "Pon my soul, monstrous kind!" said Titmouse, trying desperately to look at his ease "Said he'd break the ice for me." Here ensued another pause. "Every body must have a beginning, you know. 'Pon my solemn honour, all he said about me is quite true." Profoundly as was Lady Cecilia depressed, she look ed up at Titmouse for a moment with evident surprise." Now, Lady Cicely, just as between friends, didn't he tell you something very particular about me? Didn't he? Eh?" She made him no answer. "I dare say, Lady Cicely, though somehow you look sad enough, you a'n't vexed to see me here? Eh? There's many and many a woman in London that would-but it's no use now. 'Pon my soul I love you, I do, Lady Cicely;" she trembled violently, for he was drawing his chair nearer to her. She felt sick-sick almost to death. ་་ pleasant piece of-I mean it's an awkward thing to do; but I hope you love me, Lady Cicely, eh? a little ?" Her head hung down, and a very scalding tear oozed out and trickled down her cheek. "Hope you ar'n't sorry, dear Lady Cicely? I'm most uncommon proud and happy! Come, Lady Cicely." He took the thin white hand that was nearest him, and raised it to his lips: had his perception been only a trifle keener, he could not have failed to perceive a faint thrill pervade Lady Cecilia as he performed this act of gallantry, and an expression of features which looked very much like disgust. He had seen love made on the stage frequently, and, as he had seen lovers do there, he now dropped down on one knee, still holding Lady Cecilia's hand in his, and pressing it a second time to his lips. "If your ladyship will only make me-so happy-as to be-my wife— 'pon my life, you're welcome to all I have; and you may consider this place entirely your own! Do you understand me, dearest Lady Cicely? Come! 'Pon my life-I'm quite distracted-do you love me, Lady Cicely? Only say the word." A faint-a very faint sound issued from her lips -'twas "Yes." Oh, poor Lady Cecilia ! "Then, as true as God's in heaven, dear gal, I love you," said he, with ardour and energy; and rising from his knee, he sate down beside her upon the sofa-placed an arm round her waist, and with his other hand grasped hers-and-imprinted a kiss upon the pale cheek which had been so haughtily withdrawn from the presumptuous advances of the Marquis de Millefleurs, and from some half-dozen others; several of whom were men of high real pretensions-elegant in person and manners-of great accomplishmentsof intellect-of considerable fortuneof good family; but in her opinion, and that of the Earl her father, not of family good enough, nor fortune considerable enough, to entitle them to an alliance with her. "Pon my life, Lady Cicely, you are a most lovely gal," quoth Titmouse, with increasing energy-and now you're all my own! Though I am only plain Mr Titmouse, and you'll be Lady Cicely still. I'll make you a good husband!" and again he pressed her hand and kissed her cold cheek. "I know it's—it's a monstrous un- But slow and dull as were the Lady Cecilia's feelings, they were becoming too much excited to admit of her continuing much longer in the room. "I'm sure you'll excuse me, Mr Titmouse," said she, rising and speaking quickly and faintly. When she had regained her room, she wept bitterly for upwards of an hour; and Miss Macspleuchan, who knew full well the cause of it, knew not how to console one who had so deliberately prostrated herself before the hideous little image of Mammon; who, in degrading herself, had also-and Miss Macspleuchan's bosom swelled with wounded pride and indignation at the thought-degraded her whole sex. In due time, however, the Aurora, a morning fashionable London newspaper, thus announced to the public the au spicious event which I have so faithfully, feeling much pain the while, described to the reader : "It is rumoured that Mr Titmouse, who so lately recovered the very large estates of Yatton, in Yorkshire, and whose appearance in the fashionable world has created so great a sensation; and who is already connected, by consanguinity, with the ancient and noble family of Dreddlington, is about to form a closer alliance with it, and is now the accepted suitor of the lovely and accomplished Lady Cecilia Phi lippe Leopoldina Plantagenet, sole daughter and heiress of the Right Hon. the Earl of Dreddlington, and next in succession to the barony of Drelincourt, the most ancient, we believe, in the kingdom." FIELD FLOWERS. YE who courtly beauty prize, Not a hue of gaudier glow, Courtly scorners! not for ye And lordly idlers lounge and sigh- Such as find in all her ways Favour'd mortals! to your eyes Hither come-to you we'll tell They, their snowy heads that hide Though we grace not lordly halls, Yet, on rustic festivals, Who than we are fitlier seen Joyous childhood, roving free, Pineth some pale wretch away CIRCASSIA. THE extraordinary resistance of the tribes on the east of the Black Sea to the Russian arms, has long since attracted the eye of every man who wishes well to the cause of national bravery fighting for national independence. Five successive campaigns have scarcely advanced the dominion of the Czar beyond the sea-coast; and even that dominion, within the present year, has been singularly restricted. The Circassians, who had hitherto contented themselves with desultory, though highly destructive, attacks on : C. the Russian troops among the hills, appear to have acted under some more general system, and have combined powerful attacks on the Russian fortresses from the river Cuban to the Mingrelian border. Aboun, Ghelendik, Thapsene, and others, with strong garrisons, have been rapidly stormed; and, colossal as the strength of Russia is, and furious and allgrasping as her ambition has been, and continues, she has evidently been hitherto bafiled, with great waste of treasure and loss of life. |